A BOGUS SQUATTER.

Evening Post, Volume XXVI, Issue 74, 25 September 1883, Page 3

A BOGUS SQUATTER.

♦ A man giving the name of Arthur J. O s was arrestod at Sanrihn -,t on &*■ 7th m 1. (the ArffUßjrT™"* i Uj lx-iooi,.* -• ) Oallv/lii.i and Seni'ir-cciiM^jibic VV,>rr<.r, on p. cli"iyo of f-tuftling * valwih'w ba^gy thfi propcty of M^-'/ffl. Stovonton awl Elliott, coachbulifiers, X in t '-Htre"t. Tho accused, who is advanced in yf-.ru, s,ud presents tflo appearan'r > J v man of property, has succeeded in victimising v number of leading Hel- : uurne merchants and warehonsemen to tho extent, it iB stated, of between JJ2OOO and JB3OOO, by impositions and representations of tho most flimsy character. As far as can be ascertained, tho accused commenced operations in Victoria by making a number of large purchases from Messrs. M'Ewan and Co., ironmongers, of Elizabethstreet, when, upon being asked for a referonco, he declined to give one, on the plea that if any doubt existed as to his bona fidos ha would prefer to pay for tho purohasea at once. He did so by giving a cheque on a Sandhurst bank for something like .£4OO, whioh was duly honoured upon presentation. Ho represented himself as a squatter from South Australia, and stated that he had just purchased a large valuablo station in tho Sandhurst district, where he purposed starting his son in business. The cheque having boon honoured so promptly, tho first transaction was considered satisfactory by the firm, and, as a natural consequence, further largo purohases were made on orodit, but up to the present time Mesurs. M'Ewan and Co. have received no further consideration than a few dishonoured bills. Similar transactions took place between the aoonaed and Messrs. Briscoo and Co., Altson and Co., Stevenson and Elliot, and other leading firms in the city, who allege that they have been most grievously imposed upon and swindled. In the caso of Messrs. Stevenson and Elliott the accused obtained a buggy and other articles, it is alleged, by _ moans of false representation, and immediately sold them and consigned them to Now Zealand. Whilst tho buggy was in tranaitu, however, and before it reached the steamer by whioh it was consigned, it accidentally became damaged, and was unsuspectingly taken by thoso in whose ohargo it was placed to Mosßra. Stevenson and Elliott for repairs. It was at once recognised, and upon onquirios being made it was ascertained that the statements mado by Coates were not striotly in accordance with truth, and proceedings wore instituted whioh resulted in tho arrost boing mado as already stated. _______________

Th« third bell of the four required for the Post Office clock was nast at Messrs. Mills and Cablo's foundry this aftornoon, in the presence of Mr. Littleiohn, who has the contract for supplying the clock, and several others. The boll weighß between 6 and 7 cwt. The fourth and last is to be oast next week, and will weigh over 12 cwt. In the Melbourne tologmm published in i another column, the Derby betting should ' read as follows :— Arohie, 2 to 1; Off Colour, sto 1 j Martini-Homy, sto 1 ; others, 12 tol.

(For continuation of neios, see fourth page.)